The Garden Retreat, LLC

I'm very pleased with the work that Russ from The Garden Retreat did on a large, sloping section of my yard and would not hesitate to recommend him. The ivy and old junipers have been replaced by a variety of new plants, many of them natives, along with an irrigation system. The old unsafe steps and sidewalk have been replaced also, using attractive pavers. Russ was easy to work with, had great ideas, and communicated well, replying quickly to emails and keeping me informed every step of the way. The cost was reasonable and the project was completed in the expected amount of time. I've already had many compliments on the new look and am eager to see it develop as the plants grow and fill the hillside.

We had Russ out to rip and replace our front yard and he was amazing! He worked through a couple of plans with us (would highly recommend this step) to ensure we were both on the same page as to what we wanted done. The entire process seemed very personalized. He was also helpful (and very patient) as I worked through some permitting issues with the city. In terms of the execution, Russ was communicative about what was happening and how things were progressing or if there were any hiccups. And when there were problems, Russ always had creative options to solve the problem. The completed project looks great and just about every time I'm outside somebody complements the yard.

I had an idea and some pictures for inspiration and Russ brought it all to life. He excels at communication; he sets expectations and timelines and is honest about what will and won't work. I appreciate the combination of his design expertise along with execution. A rare find and an amazing outcome for a beautiful front yard transformation. I get a lot of compliments and I appreciate that he was able to utilize a small space and turn it into such an amazing oasis with eye striking street appeal. He listened to my wish list and added the elements that were important to me, including some amazing rocks which were on my personal wish list. We lost some plants due to heat and placement, and he replaced a few things that will hopefully come back next Spring. The remote Rainbird app is still a struggle for me due to my own Wi-Fi coverage issues, but Russ took the time to teach me how to work with the new drip system until I was comfortable with planting on my own and adding drip line where needed. Thanks Russ. Looking forward to working with you on the backyard in the coming years!

Russ helped us with a complete redesign of our backyard, turning it from an unusable sloped mess into a great space for our family. Russ did a great job of making recommendations based on the overall look that we wanted, but suggesting plants we had not thought to use. He was also very flexible working with requirements and timelines dictated by our HOA. He is very knowledgeable, reliable and a good communicator. I would highly recommend him.

We are EXTREMELY happy with Russ’s designs and the value we received. When we got the design, we didn’t realize that Russ was doing almost all the work. We were impressed with his attention to detail, quality and interest in providing the best in service and products. Thank you, Russ!

Russ of the Garden Retreat, LLC did an excellent job on our dry stack retaining wall. I should say "walls" - It was a difficult job, requiring three separate terraces on a doubly sloped section of our hillside lot. He also added a flagstone pathway so we could more easily access the different bed levels. He finished the work in record time and the final product is certainly eye-catching. Now all we need to do is plant it all out! Thanks, Russ!

We met Russ almost 15 years ago at a Trade Show. We liked what he had to say and we hired him to "re-do" our yard. He did a fantastic job and never did anything that was going to cost us money without asking for our permission. We have stayed in touch and often saw Russ at the Trade Shows. Fast forward 15 years. We just built a new home and because of our fantastic experience with Russ elected to use Russ rather than the Builder's landscaper. Again, fantastic work, but with a large lot and absolutely zero landscaping this was a larger project. Russ designed the plan, reviewed it with us and made adjustments until we were very satisfied. The plan included dirt movement, sprinkler and drip systems, yard lighting. a retaining wall, lawn, plants, bark and trees and a "killer" water feature. Russ did it all! I love our yard and all the fine work Russ has done. He has earned the highest recommendation I could give. I would be more than happy to have anyone who is considering Russ Renner for landscaping design and installation to stop over and see the fine work he has done with our yard.

Out of three design/build firms who bid, we selected The Garden Retreat because we liked Russ’ work in our neighborhood, but more importantly we were really comfortable with his approach to the project and the challenges and features of our space. He worked well with his grading subcontractor to shape and place boulders to add structure for the plantings and stability to the steep slope in our front yard. The plants Russ used are a nice mix of natives and ornamentals, chosen to be low-maintenance and provide year-round color and interest. He accommodated our strong preferences and guided us to better choices when needed, sharing his knowledge about their habits so we could make good decisions. We're also glad to have the drip irrigation system in place to get the plantings established and keep it looking nice. The paver patio Russ installed adds definition and is a good casual fit with our fifties ranch house. What used to be an uneven, hard-to-maintain lawn is now an inviting space to enjoy morning coffee or evening sunsets. We would not hesitate to recommend The Garden Retreat, or to work with Russ again on future projects.

Russ Renner of The Garden Retreat did a truly fantastic job on my landscaping. I live in a traditional, older home in a beautiful Portland neighborhood. The garden needed significant updating, which was a challenge because there is so much shade. Russ revamped both front and back yards, including eliminating two moss-choked lawns and replacing them with beautiful shrubs and perennials. He also installed a full drip irrigation system and designed and installed lighting that makes the evening view of the garden especially inviting and dramatic. He communicated with me throughout the project, insuring my approval of all plant and lighting choices, and he completed the job right on time. He is a real professional and a great pleasure to work with.

Russ did an amazing job transforming my narrow sloped back yard into a compacted gravel pathway surrounded by a river rock dry creek and native plants lining the way as well as a garden bed along a fenced area. I trusted Russ in choosing plants and trees that would require little maintenance and would add colors and textures to the area. The cost was very reasonable and included an irrigation system, which I highly recommend. Russ stuck to his starting date and proposed number of days to complete the project. He clearly communicated throughout the process. I highly recommend Russ and The Garden Retreat for any landscape project, big or small.

We had a great experience with Russ at The Garden Retreat. We had a backyard that was basically just dirt, and he turned it into a beautiful oasis! He installed a water feature, a paved patio and artwork. We could not be happier. He had good knowledge of the type of plants that would work in the area and was able to give advice on how to maintain them. We also needed stairs built from the deck and he was able to recommend someone and work with them to get the plantings, the patio, and the water feature right to accommodate the stairs.

I hired Russ this summer to help with a significant upgrade to my front yard. I knew Russ' work from observing him build a wall for my neighbor and had been very impressed with the outcome but also with his diligent work ethic. I highly recommend Russ for several reasons: -He effectively hired and worked alongside a subcontractor to clear 25 years of overgrowth and prepare my yard for its transformation. -He painstakingly constructed a beautiful stacked -stone wall and blended it artfully with my neighbor's wall. -He worked very respectfully with other craftsmen I had hired resulting in a very collaborative outcome. -He was respectful, good-humored and responsibly followed through as he had committed. -The project was completed on time and on budget and followed up.to insure I was satisfied with the outcome.

We hired Russ to do a fairly large design and renovation of our garden this summer. He took on the design through to completion and also assisted a great deal in project managing the pool company we hired. Russ’s designs were thoughtful and took on board our feedback. Throughout the project he was flexible with our needs and feedback and always conscientious of budget, coming in at the end right on target. We couldn’t recommend Russ enough - our garden is a beautiful haven with the design we now have, especially with the lighting he installed. Exceptional design and execution!

Phenomenal job, from design to execution. We were looking to transform our backyard into an inviting English garden space for relaxation, and Russ delivered. After taking the time to listen to our goals, he came up with a beautiful design for the flagstone and garden, then seamlessly did all of the landscaping and irrigation. He rapidly responded to our questions and was always on time and reliable. We liked our backyard so much, that we had him also re-do our front yard! We have zero complaints and nothing but positive things to say about our experience. I have recommended Russ to numerous people in our neighborhood. You will be quite impressed.

This fall I hired Russ and The Garden Retreat to do an extensive re-design of my front and side back yard. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience nor a more wonderful result! Russ presented me with unique detailed designs that matched my vision, emphasizing sustainability. He took care of all the details; unique plants, night lighting, art work interest, vegetable garden containers, pathways through out the yard, privacy fence,and a updated comprehensive water system with both drip and lawn sprinklers. Russ is very professional, always very responsive, highly knowledgeable and punctual. I enjoyed and appreciated his attention to ALL the details. I highly recommend The Garden Retreat and Russ Renner

Russ did an excellent job on our small garden renovation. He's a true professional, highly knowledgeable, and an excellent communicator. He finished our project on time and within his quoted price. We would highly recommend him to anyone and really enjoyed having him work at our home.

Russ was the fourth landscape pro we interviewed and the choice was an easy one -- he listened to our goals and had creative ideas for executing those goals within the budget we had. His work was meticulous and he was so good about checking in to make sure we were happy with the results at each stage. He was careful in his estimating and brought the project in right on the dime. I highly recommend Russ Renner's The Garden Retreat!

My husband and I are both business people so our approach to finding someone was in that manner. We identified 3 different people from the Home and Garden Show then had them come to our house and listen to what we wanted, showed pictures of what we were looking for, heard them talk about their approach to design and how the would proceed to the finished product. Two of the designers were only designers and although they said they would supervise the work done, we felt that we would have to get involved in some of the implantation, which we had little time for. Russ was a design-build person and we felt that his design would be better because he had to install it. He was open to changes, as we had to make a few along the way, especially when Russ discovered with the drip irrigation that one area of the backyard we thought got a lot of sun actually didn't so we had to basically flip one side of the design, which worked out for the better. I would have no hesitation to recommend him to someone

Russ Renner, owner of the Garden Retreat, designed and constructed a new vision for my back yard last summer. I so appreciated that he spent time listening to me before it was designed, as he incorporated all the components I wanted. When it looked like making the paved part level could be a problem due to tree roots, he set about reconfiguring a plan that would achieve the flat level area I was desiring. In the end, I couldn't be more pleased with the product and with Russ in charge. He is quick to act when something needs attention. And the best part, he stayed right within his bid!

Russ did an amazing job of transforming my yard into a lovely garden with hardscaping and style that set just the mood I wanted. Russ is a professional. He does beautiful, quality work while also meeting deadlines and budget.

Russ had great ideas to suggest and handled my change in plans just fine. He kept me informed as project progressed and alerted me to any additional costs in a timely manner. I'm very pleased with the final result.

If you are looking for someone to change your yard into a place for you to rest, relax and unwind, Russ is the person to hire. We have worked with Russ for 3 years. We originally hired Russ when we moved into our current home. He has taken our yard, that had been basically left to care for itself and us wondering where do we begin, to a place we enjoy everyday. This year we decided to finish the front yard. The transformation was amazing. The front yard now fits the house. We love it and the neighbors too! People in the neighborhood stop and tell us how much they enjoy our yard. They love all the changes and the color. Last year's project was replacing a failing retaining wall and cracked patio. We have Russ for his ability to see and conceive a design for our backyard. His thought of things we would have never conceived on our own. The result was a total transformation. We find it hard to believe that it is the same yard. After arriving home from work, that is where we head. We derive so much enjoyment from just being in that area. We want to be there all the time. We appreciate all of Russ's hard work and talents but believe his greatest talent is his ability to envision a yard or garden and truely turn it into a garden retreat!

We hired Russ to do the landscape project for the front and side yard of our modern house. He was thorough and attentive during the whole process. He listened to our wants/needs and made suggestions on different scenarios to approach the design. After the design he also did the installation for us. We love that he could do both, instead of us having to find another contractor to install. His crew also built a beautiful fence for us. Russ and his crew are solid and professional, that's not something you can easily find in contractors these days and that's what we appreciated most about them. We couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. Now our daughter loves to show off to her friends the new garden.

The Garden Retreat is a very professional landscape design company based in SW Portland Oregon. Russ, owner and founder, is a wonderful professional who always delivers on his landscape designs and promises. I had hired Russ a few years back to transform my front yard in preparation for selling my home. Russ was quick to propose design options, and in less than a week, the project was completed beautifully without any issues. Since then, I've recommended Russ many times to my friends and family. If you are in need of landscape professional, Russ at The Garden Retreat will transform your front and back yard into an oasis of nature and beauty. Russ' landscape designs include hardscapes like retaining walls & patios, plants, water features & lighting installations.